About Us
Our Story
& Mission.
Friends of Ute Valley Park (FUVP) is an officially recognized "Friends" organization dedicated to maintaining, preserving, and providing education for Ute Valley Park in Colorado Springs.
We work in partnership with the city's Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department to care for this treasured community resource, ensuring its wildland character remains intact for future generations.
Year in Review: 2024
Our
Impact.
Here's what our amazing volunteers accomplished together in 2024.
130
Individual volunteers
538
Total volunteer hours
1,900
Instagram followers
105
Community survey responses
About Our Work
Our History.
FUVP was formed in 2012 when we learned the City had an opportunity to purchase an additional 205 acres to expand Ute Valley Park. The City hoped to fund the purchase through the Trails, Open Spaces, and Parks (TOPS) program.
With the help of FUVP, the Trust for Public Land, and TOPS, the city was able to acquire the land in 2014-15. FUVP raised $110,000 in just 3.5 months to contribute to the purchase, demonstrating unprecedented community support.
How We Care for the Park.
[01]
Conducts trail maintenance twice a month
[02]
Leads special maintenance and cleanup projects
[03]
Raises funds to support park improvements
[04]
Provides education about the park's ecology and history
[05]
Advocates for the protection of UVP
Awards & Recognition.
2023 Drew Town Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Volunteer of the Year Nomination
2022 TOSC Best Friends group
2020 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Award
2020 Parks & Recreation Volunteer of the Year
2019 David J Collas Community Service Award
2014 City Council Resolution Thanking FUVP
2014 Friends Group of the Year
2013 TOSC Stewardship Award
Dan Woods SuperGroup MVP Award
Our Structure.
FUVP currently operates as a committee under the fiscal sponsorship of the Trails and Open Spaces Coalition (TOSC) through June 30, 2026.
We are transitioning away from that sponsorship and have opened a new PO Box for direct correspondence.
Status
Transitioning
PO Box 50122
Our Team
Meet the Team.
The dedicated leadership team overseeing the preservation, community outreach, and technical operations of the Ute Valley urban wildland.
Drew Town
Christine Thomas
Megan Town
Katie Gray
Phill Emmert
Haley Kline Murphy
Pete Galeotti
Nadine Lambert
Jake Nixon
Park Gallery.
Park History
Coal Mine Survey Report.
Environmental Stewardship
Leave
No Trace.
Ute Valley Park proudly supports The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. Following these guidelines helps protect the park for everyone.
